Some neat stuff

[Craiga 01453]

A wildlife rehabilitation permit doesn't require courses in MA. You have to study for a test and as long as you can pass the exam with 80% or more you're licensed to rehab. If you want to do migratory species or marine wildlife like seals, you have to get additional federal licensing. It's not too bad though, and the exam isn't too terrible as long as you're prepared. The worst part was memorizing all the native and migratory birds, and then memorizing medications and dosages. As far as practicing goes, I decided to do an internship and took a follow up job doing it for a while just to make sure I wouldn't kill things by mistake. There are also occasional classes that you can attend where you're taught how to draw blood and do subQ's and whatnot, but I'm not sure when or where they happen. The last one I had my eye on was in RI.

90% of my work history has been with animals, but jobs in the field are really limited on the Cape so I decided that I'd just do it on my own and make money doodling for people. I'd love to work at the New England Wildlife Center or at Tufts but I'd have to commute or move, and trying to get over the bridge in the summer or during holiday is a type of hell I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Anyways, sleep deprived rambling aside, if you ever decide it's something you want to look into feel free to ask and I'll give you a good list of books to have

Hmmm... I may have to pick your brain a bit at some point. I considered Vet Tech school, but, quite frankly, I'm scared to make such a huge life change at this point in my life. I've been working in kitchens and tending bars for about 24 years and feel like that's my safe haven, because it's what I know. But my passion is LLLOOOONNNGGGG gone. My boss's son is a musician who is also into camera work and production. When I see his face light up when he talks about his work I just feel so happy for him. I want that look on my face when I talk about my work. Since I have lost my passion for the restaurant industry, I am considering my passion for animals as a possible career change, but have found myself procrastinating out of fear. I'm not passionate about my work any more, but I'm comfortable. I know I'm good at what I do and it's easy to just do my job. I want to test myself, push myself, learn something new, but dammit it's scary to take the first steps and make the change.